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I have found the almost perfect location for shooting my short film. They are also able to supply some relevant props, which prompts me to realise I need to get some more (props). I am able to have access to the room for a whole day (if needed), plus the location is available to me for £0. My original thought was to film in May/June, but I think I am realistically going to aim for August/September. I have all the people I need for the cast, so I should just set a date and prevaricate no longer. Than is necessary.

I think I am going to use something like doodle.com to find the optimum date, I have the feeling that not everyone will be simultaneously available on the same day. So, finding the one where most can be there, makes sense. Plus, I don’t have to talk directly to people that way!

“All that’s left is a space in a life that goes on as before…” again

At long last I have conquered the heights of the attic. It was literally a lightbulb moment; having got a pair of stepladders from next door to replace a lightbulb in the bathroom, I suddenly realised I had the means, and more importantly, the motivation, to venture up into the loft.

It wasn’t as easy as it may seem, but after an hour of searching through dust covered artefacts, and a whole heap of vinyl, I eventually found the elusive record which is a feature of the opening shot.

In conversations with Rich, despite the song(s) themselves not being audible, he was concerned that there may be some sort of copyright issue featuring the artwork. So, a couple of months back I got in touch with Martyn Ware via Twitter and described the intended use of his property to him (though I don’t recall him putting his hands in his pockets when I stood at the record counter all those years ago!).

Thankfully Martyn responded that he had no problem with it, so I am taking that as permission being granted. I like to look at it as a free advertisement for said 7″.

Ah, it has just struck me that maybe I could invite him to the first screening (can’t bring myself to call it a “premiere”)?

I am so pleased to have this wonderful disc to hand now. Shame I no longer have a record player to enjoy it in full. But then, like many things, it’s good to not have the memory or the fantasy spoilt. Yes, I am Billy Fisher and I don’t actually get to London.

The Catcher in the Rey

The quality of mercy is not strnen

Progress: (in no particular order, apart from 1.)
1. Script is completed – with thanks to Rich McMahon
2. I am awaiting news of location availability
3. I have a chap from the broadcasting industry on board who will a) edit the film b) provide better AV equipment c) he has volunteered to be an extra
4. Although I have not met her in person, I believe I have secured an actress to play the female lead (nb none of the characters are named, which may be confusing when reading the script, but this is a conscious decision)
5. For some time I have secured the talents of a chap to play the male protagonist
6. I believe I have enough people who have volunteered to be extras.
7. A Twitter friend has volunteered the use of their record playing facilities for the opening shot
8. By a process of elimination (via written auditions), I have realised that the handwritten note needs to contain a nondescript handwriting style
9. I have a person lined up to play the third significant role ie the teacher (who happens to have the most to say in the script – nb this does not equal to being the lead part)
10. Still need to confirm a title.

Outstanding actions: (in no particular order)
1. To seek permission of those involved to be able to mention/publish their name here (with brief biog/info about them)
2. Plan/set date of filming on location
3. Plan/set date for cast read-through of the script
4. Film two opening shots seperate to the location scene (record player and fun fair lights)
5. Allocate (minor) speaking roles to appropriate extra(s)
6. Oh yes, storyboard the plot (I’m lazy and have been putting this off, but now is unavoidable)
7. Send the script to cast and crew (nb the crew = me, basically)
8. Work out what I have omitted from this list
9. Ah, remembered the little matter of composing the song to accompany the end credits
10. After filming, organising incidental music via the talents of my friends in the South (Bristol)

Still quite a lot to do then, but having got the script finished is a major step forward. I have left off the “to do” list the making of enquiries about getting some sort of screening organised, but I don’t want to consider this until the film is completed. Only then will I believe I have “done it”.

If in doubt, give it a very long and unwieldy title

(Rich) Working at the coal face of the script

Rich and I have been working further on the screenplay for the short film. We have a working title, which is the title I gave the short story when I wrote it at school. But as I believe have mentioned in a previous post, I don’t want to use it for the film, as I nicked a Joy Division song title…although to be fair, Joy Division nicked it themselves from a book. So, I could actually talk myself into sticking with it. But something is stopping me, or at least instigating me to think of something else/new/”original”.

No Apologies

Apparently, apologies by bloggers for not updating their blog is a pathetic practice. I agree. (In Twitter speak, I believe the correct way to address this would be #upyours)

I am about to have a scriptwriting meeting with friend and musician Rich McMahon. He is literally due here in six minutes. Rich came along to the Autumn Store Alldayer on Saturday 22 January 2011, to see the Flowers of Despair kick off the proceedings.

After our set, I was talking with Rich about the film project, and he indicated that he was doing some scriptwriting in some form or another, so we agreed to meet tonight – if the bastard isn’t here in two minutes, he will be late!

Being wrong is the new right

you decide!?

I have spent some time reflecting on the footage I took of the circus and I am thinking more and more that it’s possibly not what I wanted. At first this left me feeling disheartened, but then I started to think, well actually, it’s helped me re-focus on maybe what I do want. So that’s a good thing, right?

The Show Must Go…

circus at night

Above is a screen grab from footage I took one evening at the circus. I had a voucher for free entry, but due to the ridiculous terms of the offer, I didn’t make it inside. This, I found out after standing interminably in a static queue whilst it was threatening to rain. Ominous.

Filmrats

Filmrats logo

Came across this wonderful bi-monthly event called, “Filmrats”. According to their website, Filmrats is…

“…a multimedia evening of short films and live music. We’re a hybrid of different creative artistry coming together to showcase their talents, enjoy music, film and to socialise. The night is currently being held bi-monthly on a Thursday evening @ The Sunflower Lounge right in the heart of Birmingham city centre.”

No news means a lot of news

Cirque de Zippo

A month since the last blog post, surely this is not good enough for anyone who wants to keep an audience (entertained/informed/mentally ensnared)?

“Today, a circus in town…”

So, filming will begin around mid to late March, which is when the circus arrives in these here parts. This fits in really well, as in my head I imagined kicking this project off in the Spring, life can sometimes be kind.

Co-incidently, I believe I will have my video camera by then, but if I don’t then I’ll get hold of one somehow. I found out that the Creative Vado HD 3rd Generation model is not going to be available in the UK. This information came to me after I contacted Creative directly. At first I considered purchasing it from overseas, but it seemed like too much hassle, and what if there was a fault with it, etc. So, have plumped for the Kodak Zi8 instead, which has the bonus of image stabilisation.

Also, have seen magnetic wide angle lens mod kits available for sale for this camera, so in a sense by getting one of these kits, I’m not losing any functionality, except for the manual light adjustment facility on the Vado. However, I noticed that the Kodak now has a firmware update that improves some poor lighting issues, which is good news.

I need to start seriously planning the scene(s) which require human intervention – also known as actors. Essentially there are two main characters, one of whom I would call the protagonist, two or three supporting characters, and then other supporting artists, also known as extras. But as I have said before, dialogue is not a critical factor in this production. My hope is for improvised, spontaneous natural interaction, which supports the concept of the plot but not detract or distract.

Any volunteers?*

* Please note, the phrase “any volunteers?” does not guarantee the allocation of a role or a contractual agreement. And for anyone in any doubt, these roles will be made available to either friends, acquantancies, strangers, “proper” or “non-proper/improper” actor types who just fancy being involved with a no-budget project. However, do not have any expectations (ie “Oh of course he will let me play a part”, as I am an expectation-free zone. And naturally I want the right people for the appropriate requirements. Having said that, if anyone is interested in one of the four/five main roles, then you are welcome to contact me, or send me a link to an example of your “work” ie an online video. Timewasters need not apply, but are very welcome to submit comments.